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Al-Badri: The government is ignoring the inclusion of the salary scale in the three-year budget.

Representative Ahmed Al-Badri confirmed, on Monday, that the unified salary scale law will not be part of the three-year budget, expressing his surprise at the government’s failure to fulfill its previous pledges to include it in the draft budget.

Al-Badri said in a statement to / Al-Maalouma /, “There is widespread controversy in parliamentary and popular circles about the unified salary scale law in light of ongoing demands for justice for low-income groups,” noting that “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani had promised to include the law in the three-year budget items, but this has not happened yet.”

He added that “the government has not fulfilled its previous promises despite the importance of the law in addressing the large disparities between state employees,” noting that “postponing the inclusion of the law raises question marks about the government’s intention to achieve job justice.”

Almaalomah.me

Al-Maliki’s coalition: The “entity’s” presence does not prevent Iraq’s participation in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit.

The State of Law Coalition, led by Nouri al-Maliki, sent a letter to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Monday regarding his participation in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit.

“The Sharm el-Sheikh conference was called for by Egypt and the United States to arrange the situation in the Middle East, similar to the US president’s initiative to stop the war in the stricken Gaza Strip,” coalition MP Ammar al-Shabli told Shafaq News Agency. He stressed that “it is an international summit, and Iraq is part of the Middle East, and its security is linked to the security of neighboring countries, most of which will be present. The presence of the entity’s president will not affect Iraq’s position.”

Al-Shabli explained that “Iraq has attended many summits with the presence of a representative of the entity, as these are international summits, and Iraq has no choice but to exclude any delegation from them. Therefore, we call on Al-Sudani to condition his participation on preserving Iraq’s sovereignty and security.”

Al-Shabli also stressed the need to “obligate participating countries and delegations to respect Iraq’s sovereignty and security, and to use the summit to pressure Turkey to cease its violation of international law regarding the presence of its forces on Iraqi territory and to respect Iraq’s right to its water share.”

He added, “Al-Sudani must also compel countries that continue to harbor terrorists and their supporters to cease harboring such individuals and hand over those against whom judicial rulings have been issued to the competent Iraqi authorities.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani departed for Egypt on Monday morning to participate in the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, convened by the United States and Egypt. The summit will discuss efforts to end the war in Gaza, launch a political process, and enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid. More than 20 world and regional leaders will be in attendance, including the UN Secretary-General and several leaders of major powers.

The Prime Minister’s advisor for foreign affairs, Farhad Alaa Al-Din, confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that Iraq is participating in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit after receiving an official invitation from the United States and Egypt, as it chairs the current session of the Arab Summit and plays an active role in the fateful issues of the Arab nation.

Shiite National Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr described Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s participation in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit as a “disgrace,” arguing that it could pave the way for normalization or the signing of the so-called two-state solution. He asserted his innocence of this position.

Shafaq.com

Iraq is in a critical situation as the Mosul Dam approaches its “dead reservoir.”

Water expert and former director of the Mosul Dam, Riyad Ezz El-Din Al-Naimi, warned on Monday of the seriousness of the water situation in Iraq in general, and the Mosul Dam in particular.

According to Al-Naimi, who spoke to Shafaq News Agency, “The water levels in the dam have reached very low levels, approaching ‘dead storage,’ which is unprecedented in more than fifty years.”

He explained that Iraq is experiencing an unprecedented water crisis in over 100 years, due to the lack of rainfall, the scarcity of water imports from Turkey, and the effects of climate change. He noted that the current water reserves in the Mosul Dam do not meet even the minimum needs.

Al-Naimi emphasized that Iraq’s negotiating partner is strong and intelligent, which requires a more assertive negotiating stance from the Iraqi government and the Ministry of Water Resources. He believed that the continued decline in water imports would place the country in a very difficult water crisis, particularly in the Tigris River and the eastern regions.

Iraqi Minister of Water Resources, Aoun Diab Abdullah, revealed on Sunday that Iraq has requested that Turkey increase water flows from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers by one billion cubic meters per second for October and November, at a rate of 500 m³/s for each river, to improve water revenues over the next fifty days.

On Saturday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani revealed an imminent agreement with Türkiye to build dams and address the water crisis, while attacking “false mongers” seeking to achieve partisan gains.

On Friday, October 10, a joint official meeting was held in Ankara between delegations from the Republic of Iraq and the Republic of Turkey to discuss the water issue and enhance bilateral cooperation in this vital field, according to a statement issued by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.

Shafaq.com

Al-Sudani flirts with Trump and woos Blair: A great friend of the Iraqis

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani affirmed his support for US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace agreement on Monday, while also highlighting Iraq’s rejection of normalization.

Al-Sudani said in an interview with the American network ” CNBC “, translated by Shafaq News Agency, that “the United States confirms, through communication and messages, the strength of relations with Baghdad, which supports the US administration’s efforts for peace in the region, but at the same time, with regard to the possibility of normalization with Israel, it is committed to the laws enacted by the Iraqi Parliament.”

Regarding US President Donald Trump’s plan for a ceasefire in Gaza, he affirmed, “Iraq has declared its support for the agreement reached by President Trump, and we believe he is serious about achieving peace, and that is everyone’s goal.”

He explained that “since the events of October 7, 2023, Iraq’s position has been clear: to stop the war and adopt dialogue as the basis for resolving these disputes and conflicts. However, the Palestinian issue is the core of the problem in the Middle East, and the time has come to find solutions through dialogue and respect for international institutions and treaties.”

Al-Sudani described the US initiative as “important,” expressing his hope that this agreement would be sustainable and the beginning of a radical solution to this problem, ensuring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

Regarding the release of the Israeli hostages, Al-Sudani affirmed his support for “any peaceful solution that leads to an end to this war that has caused the deaths of innocent civilians, not only because of the war, but also because of hunger, thirst, and the lack of basic necessities of life.” He explained, “This scene is painful for everyone. Iraq is one of the countries that has suffered the most from wars, the killing of civilians, and kidnappings, so it is sensitive about all these problems.”

Regarding his view of the Trump administration and his vision for his Middle East diplomacy, he responded, “Iraq and the United States are bound by a strategic partnership. America contributed to changing the dictatorial regime and to our war against ISIS, where we fought and defeated this terrorist organization. We continue to work together to confront these terrorist groups.”

He continued, “We also have a comprehensive Strategic Framework Agreement with Washington, and it is the only agreement of its kind that Iraq has concluded with a country, the United States.”

Al-Sudani continued, “These principles will be taken into consideration by any US president or administration,” noting that “the Trump administration, through the communication that took place and the exchange of messages, emphasizes strengthening this relationship and paving the way for other elements of this agreement, so that the agreement is not limited to the security aspect. It is important that it is open to economic, technological, and cultural aspects, and this is what we are working on through communication channels between the two countries.”

Regarding Al-Sudani’s stance on Tony Blair, who is known for his role in the occupation of Iraq, and the proposal for a future role for him in Gaza, he said, “Blair is a person acceptable to the Iraqis, and a friend, who contributed to going to war at that time and toppling Saddam Hussein’s regime.” He stressed that “he is a great friend of the Iraqis and visits us often, and we hold meetings with him. We certainly wish him success in his mission, and we support him.”

When asked again whether Blair should be involved in a transitional plan for Gaza, he replied: “Everyone has a stake in supporting efforts to deal with the rapid management of this massive destruction in Gaza.”

Regarding Israel’s image in the region and relations with Arab countries, which is one of the main goals of the Trump administration’s foreign policy, and whether Iraq will normalize relations with them, he affirmed, “The government in Iraq is based on a parliamentary system, and it will be based on the laws enacted by Parliament. We have laws that define the relationship with the Israeli entity, in addition to our principled position that the entity has committed numerous crimes against the Palestinian people over the decades. This reality that we are witnessing is painful.”

He continued, “I believe that the Palestinians today deserve a better reality and a better future. The international community supports the Palestinian people, and we support this vision.”

Regarding reaching a peace agreement between Israel and Syria, Al-Sudani pointed out that “Syria is a strong security issue for Iraq, and it also affects the national security of all countries in the region.” He explained that “the diversity existing in Syria is similar to the diversity existing in Iraq, and that any interventions leading to division, which are taking place in Syria, will ultimately affect Iraq and the countries of the region.”

He added, “We believe that Israeli interventions in Syria are incorrect and unacceptable, violate international laws and treaties, and spread instability in a country that everyone wants to overcome this difficult phase.”

The Iraqi Prime Minister concluded by saying, “There is a clear presence of ISIS militants, and they have seized large quantities of weapons from the former Syrian army. This is why they pose a real threat to all countries in the region.” He explained that “weakening the administration in Damascus will allow extremists to take control and threaten the security and stability of this sensitive region.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani departed for Egypt on Monday morning to participate in the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, convened by the United States and Egypt. The summit will discuss efforts to end the war in Gaza, launch a political process, and enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid. More than 20 world and regional leaders will be in attendance, including the UN Secretary-General and several leaders of major powers.

The Prime Minister’s advisor for foreign affairs, Farhad Alaa Al-Din, confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that Iraq is participating in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit after receiving an official invitation from the United States and Egypt, as it chairs the current session of the Arab Summit and plays an active role in the fateful issues of the Arab nation.

Shiite National Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr described Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s participation in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit as a “disgrace,” arguing that it could pave the way for normalization or the signing of the so-called two-state solution. He asserted his innocence of this position.

Shafaq.com

Without prior announcement or official invitation, Al-Sudani leaves for the Sharm El-Sheikh summit.

The media office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Monday that he will travel to Egypt to participate in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, which Trump will attend, regarding a plan to end the Gaza war and impose peace.

Al-Sudani’s media office said in a statement, “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is heading to the Arab Republic of Egypt to participate in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit on Gaza.”

This announcement came as a surprise, as Iraq’s participation in the summit had never been announced or disclosed before, nor had Egypt or the United States extended an invitation to Iraq to attend. The summit, which will be attended by the heads of state of more than 20 countries, will be co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and US President Donald Trump.

It is unknown whether Al-Sudani will meet with US President Trump on the sidelines of the summit, with questions still being raised about the nature of the relationship between Iraq and the US and why Al-Sudani has not yet visited Washington and met with the US president.

Burathanews.com

America moves against three Shiite groups in addition to the Rafidain Bank in Iraq.

The US State Department said on Friday that the United States is targeting Kata’ib Hezbollah and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq for their efforts to “undermine Iraq’s sovereignty.”

US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Piggott wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the United States seeks to exert maximum pressure on Iran.

“We are targeting the IRGC-QF, which supports Iran’s regional terrorist partners and proxies, and two groups based in Iraq, Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq,” he added.

“These militias are actively working to undermine Iraq’s sovereignty, weaken its economy, and launch attacks against American personnel and interests throughout the Middle East,” Piggott continued.

Meanwhile, US Republican Congressman Joe Wilson called on the Trump administration to include the Badr Corps, its leader Hadi al-Ameri, and the Iraqi state-owned Rafidain Bank on the list of armed factions targeted by sanctions.

This came in a tweet on the “X” website in response to what was published by the US State Department’s deputy spokesman, with Wilson stressing that “Iraq must be liberated from Iran.”

These statements come after the US Treasury Department imposed a new package of sanctions on Thursday targeting Iraqi banking figures and companies linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Kata’ib Hezbollah, including the Al-Muhandis Company, the economic arm of the Popular Mobilization Forces. The move, it said, aims to “dismantle the corruption and money laundering networks that enable armed groups to operate inside and outside Iraq.”

The ministry said in a statement, translated by Shafaq News Agency, that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against individuals and companies “that help the Iranian regime evade US sanctions, smuggle weapons, and engage in widespread corruption within the Iraqi economy,” noting that the Iranian regime “relies on its Iraqi militia proxies to penetrate Iraqi state institutions and security services.”

According to the statement, these Iran-backed groups are responsible for the deaths of American citizens and attacks on US interests and those of its allies in the region. They also continue to weaken the Iraqi economy and monopolize public resources through illicit gain and corruption.

According to the Treasury Department, the new sanctions include Iraqi bankers, a commercial front company, a large economic entity linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces, and security personnel who operate spy networks for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps inside Iraq.

According to the statement, “Kata’ib Hezbollah, one of the most prominent factions of the Popular Mobilization Forces, established the General Engineer Company for Contracting, Agriculture, and Industry to provide economic cover for its activities.”

According to a statement by the US Treasury, the company, controlled by Kata’ib Hezbollah leader Abdul Aziz al-Muhammadawi (Abu Fadak), exploited government contracts to transfer funds from state institutions to commercial fronts, including Baladna Agricultural Investments Company, to finance the activities of armed factions and arms smuggling operations in coordination with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

The ministry confirmed that “General Engineer Company and Baladna Company were designated under Executive Order 13224 for their material and financial support to the IRGC and Kata’ib Hezbollah.”

The US Treasury statement also indicated that the sanctions also included three Iraqi bank executives accused of abusing their positions to benefit the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq. The statement explained that these officials exploited the Iraqi financial system to launder money, smuggle currency, and generate revenue for Iranian-backed terrorist groups.

He explained that among those sanctioned is businessman Ali Muhammad Ghulam Hussein al-Ansari, who used his influence over several Iraqi banks to generate millions of dollars for the Revolutionary Guards and Kata’ib Hezbollah. He added that he “provided financial services to Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, including purchasing dollars and laundering money using forged documents to evade government oversight.”

The sanctions also included brothers Ali and Aqeel Muftan Khafif al-Bidani, who run a commercial bank linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. They are accused of laundering tens of millions of dollars and smuggling oil and drugs, in addition to exploiting Aqeel Muftan’s position as head of the Iraqi Olympic Committee for illicit financial purposes.

The US Treasury statement warned that “Kata’ib Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps have conducted coordinated operations to gather intelligence on US forces inside Iraq since the beginning of 2025.”

He explained that “Hassan Qahtan al-Saidi, a leader in the Hezbollah Brigades, led a spy network operating out of Baghdad, comprising members of the Popular Mobilization Forces, headed by his son Mohammed and Haitham Subaih Saeed, which was gathering information on US military movements for the Revolutionary Guard.”

Shafaq.com

An economic institution is contingent on the success of the Grand Faw Port project being enabled by the development of Iraqi airports.

The Iraq Future Foundation for Economic Studies and Consultations on Friday linked the success of the Grand Faw Port project to strengthening Iraqi airports and increasing their air cargo capacity. Otherwise, the project will not be a major player in the region.

Commenting on the recent Iraqi Business Summit in Basra, held under the theme “Faw Port: Iraq’s Gateway to Investment,” the corporation’s chairman, Manar Al-Obaidi, published an article titled “Faw Port… and the Missing Opportunity Between the Airport and the Seaport.”

Al-Obaidi, who attended the summit, said, “The extent of the port’s infrastructure achievements, the modern facilities, and the implementation mechanism all reflect serious work that deserves praise.” He added, “However, what caught my attention before arriving at the port was my passage through Baghdad and Basra International Airports. These two airports are among the largest in the region in terms of the area allocated for air cargo, as they were originally designed to be platforms for re-export and transit operations, given their distinguished geographical location linking East and West.”

He added that the paradox becomes apparent when looking at the actual figures: the volume of air cargo at Baghdad Airport in 2023 did not exceed 21,000 tons, while Basra Airport recorded only about 5,000 tons.

Al-Obaidi also pointed out that, “In contrast, we find that the numbers in the Kurdistan Region and the world are completely different. Dubai International Airport recorded more than 2.2 million tons in 2024, Istanbul International Airport about 2 million tons, Abu Dhabi Airport about 700,000 tons, and Amman International Airport about 75,000 tons.” He added, “As for Erbil Airport, the volume of air freight reached 19,000 tons, and Sulaymaniyah Airport 3,000 tons.”

The Foundation’s Chairman stated, “This comparison reveals a significant gap between the ability to build infrastructure and the ability to operate it efficiently within a competitive and flexible system capable of seizing opportunities and understanding the true size of the market.”

He noted that “despite its well-equipped airports and integrated infrastructure, Iraq has been unable to compete with regional airports—and even its own local airports in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah—due to the lack of vision, mechanisms, objectives, and leadership capable of transforming potential into achievement.”

Al-Obaidi warned that “anyone who believes that Iraq will succeed in entering the East-West logistics market through infrastructure alone is delusional. Anyone who believes that the traditional government mentality is capable of competing with the region’s ports and airports is also delusional. Anyone who believes that the current bureaucracy can build real competitiveness is even more delusional.”

The head of the Iraq Future Foundation concluded, “If we want the port of Faw to become a major player in the region, we must first empower Iraq’s major airports to assume their natural role in the air transport and cargo system, rather than leaving the stage to small, limited-capacity airports to dominate this vital sector.”

Al-Abidi concluded his remarks by saying, “Big goals may look beautiful on the surface, but if they are not formulated with a comprehensive vision and an effective operational system, they will remain mere deferred dreams that will quickly fade with the first crisis we face.”

The Grand Faw Port is a strategic project in the far south of Iraq, located on the Faw Peninsula in Basra Governorate. It aims to transform the country into a regional trade hub by connecting it to global transportation networks.

The project costs approximately $4.6 billion and covers an area of ​​54 square kilometers.

Its annual capacity is expected to reach 99 million tons, making it one of the largest ports in the Arabian Gulf and the tenth largest in the world.

The port’s depth is expected to be 19 metres, to accommodate the largest commercial vessels.

In 2024, the concrete wall for the quays was completed, the piers were prepared, and work began on the container yard. Work is proceeding in parallel, with a focus on completing the last five projects simultaneously.

Shafaq.com

An economic catastrophe. “Shocking” figures reveal the extent of Iraq’s internal debt. Where is the economy headed?

Iraq is witnessing a sharp increase in domestic public debt levels through 2025, sparking serious debate about the sustainability of the country’s financial situation.

The government downplays the seriousness of the situation, asserting its ability to manage this debt internally, while experts are increasingly calling for budget reform and spending cuts as a radical solution.

Data released by the Central Bank of Iraq reveals a clear jump, with domestic debt recording a new increase, reaching approximately 87.7 trillion dinars (about $66.4 billion) at the end of last June.

According to official statistics, this figure represents an increase of approximately 5.4% compared to 2024, when the domestic debt reached $62.9 billion.

This debt inflation comes amid a near-total reliance on fluctuating oil revenues, which is pushing the government toward domestic borrowing to finance the budget deficit.

Reducing the price of the dinar

Economic expert Ammar Ghassan confirmed that the decision to devalue the Iraqi dinar from 1,450 to 1,310 per US dollar has brought about structural changes in the country’s public finances, most notably an increase in government expenditures and a worsening fiscal deficit.

Ghassan said that this decision increased government spending by about $25 billion annually, leading to a jump in current expenditures from 104 trillion dinars ($78.8 billion) to 125 trillion dinars ($94.7 billion).

He also pointed out that the wage bill alone has increased from 43 trillion dinars ($32.6 billion) to 60 trillion dinars over the past two years.

According to Ghassan’s vision, the country’s rising domestic debt is due to the government’s reliance primarily on the liquidity of public and private banks to finance its domestic and external obligations. This has depleted these banks’ resources and negatively impacted overall economic activity.

Multiple negative repercussions on economic performance

Ghassan warned of the negative repercussions of this situation, which he summarized in the following points:

*Weak monetary policy instruments and their impact on prices: A change in fiscal policy may limit the effectiveness of the central bank’s instruments, raising inflation if there is no coordination between monetary and fiscal policies.

*Worsening budget deficit: Increased government spending increases the burden on the budget and deepens the actual deficit.

*Negative impact on economic growth: Investment in government debt instruments becomes more attractive to the banking sector than lending to the private sector, which hinders credit expansion and impacts growth.

*Erosion of the real value of government financial assets, which reduces the government’s ability to meet its future obligations.

*Increasing domestic debt service burdens could negatively impact citizens’ standard of living, especially if the government is forced to cut social spending necessary to combat poverty and unemployment.

*Deepening economic rentierism through excessive operational spending and neglecting investment in strategic economic activities.

Government assurances

For his part, the Iraqi Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, affirmed Iraq’s strong financial position and its high capacity to manage its external and internal debts.

Saleh said that the total outstanding external debt is less than $20 billion, half of which is due by 2028. He emphasized that the government allocates specific annual spending lines to service it.

He added, “Iraq has never defaulted on its debt payments,” stressing that “our country’s standing with external creditors enjoys a positive and positive reputation.”

Regarding domestic public debt, Saleh indicated that it is held exclusively by the government banking system, explaining that less than half of it is currently managed by the Central Bank’s investment portfolio with high technical and financial capacity.

“There’s no need to worry,” he said, as monetary and fiscal policies are working to develop innovative repayment mechanisms, including converting debt into investment rights in productive projects within an integrated national fund. He added, “Our country enjoys enormous economic wealth that undoubtedly exceeds these debts.”

New structure to diversify revenues

For his part, economic advisor Alaa Al-Fahd affirmed that there is a fundamental shift in the financial management structure of the Iraqi economy, focused on attracting investment and creating a suitable investment environment.

Al-Fahd explained that the government, as part of its reform program, seeks to diversify sources of income and reduce reliance on foreign loans, while also bridging the financial deficit through domestic borrowing and the issuance of government bonds.

Al-Fahd stressed that investment is the primary driver of reducing dependence on oil, emphasizing the importance of revitalizing the investment sector by attracting foreign investment and implementing banking reforms to create credit strength.

For his part, economic expert Hassan Sheikh Zeini emphasized that domestic debt poses less of a risk than external debt, noting that its increase was a direct result of the decline in oil prices.

He said that the state’s resort to public debt to cover the deficit was a response to insufficient oil revenues, stressing that reducing external debt is an inevitable step to maintain high creditor confidence and avoid international court proceedings.

The economic expert proposed solutions to address the country’s ballooning domestic debt and reliance on oil (oil constitutes 95% of revenues), describing it as a “strategic mistake,” the most important of which are:

*Reducing operating expenses and implementing a fair salary scale.

*Diversifying liquidity sources through productive investment projects instead of over-reliance on taxes and fees.

*Combating corruption in revenues and imposing e-governance on taxes and services to ensure that funds go to the state treasury.

Sheikh Zini emphasized that Iraq’s external debt poses the greatest threat to its reputation and the confidence of international countries and banks in it. Therefore, the speaker added, increasing the internal debt while reducing the external debt places Iraq in a position of trust with international creditors.

Burathanews.com

US poll: Support for troop withdrawal from Iraq

A poll published by The Hill newspaper revealed that most Americans support the withdrawal of their troops from Iraq and Syria and the reduction of the US military presence in the Middle East.

The results of the poll, conducted by Concerned Veterans for America and YouGov, showed that 62% of respondents “somewhat” support withdrawing troops from Iraq, while 27% took a neutral position, and 11% opposed it.

Similar results were recorded regarding Syria, where 61% of survey participants supported the return of soldiers to their homes, while 27% had no clear opinion, and 12% opposed the withdrawal of troops.

The withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Syria was supported by majorities of both Republicans and Democrats, as well as independent voters. Nearly six in ten respondents (58%) believe that the United States should generally “reduce its level of engagement” in the Middle East.

“These data confirm what we have observed for years: veterans and the general public want a foreign policy based on moderation, responsibility, and national interest,” said John Wick, executive director of the Veterans Affairs Organization, commenting on the findings.

He added, “After decades of military campaigns in the Middle East, the US military presence in countries like Iraq and Syria no longer has a clear strategic objective.”

Wick also noted that “most survey respondents, including both Democrats and Republicans, agree with US President Donald Trump that the war in Iraq was a grave mistake.”

The survey was conducted from September 19 to 23 and included 1,000 participants, including veterans, military family members, and members of the general public.

The margin of error for the poll results is 3.7 percentage points.

Burathanews.com